In February 2024, Read for Good visited Bangor University (North Wales) to deliver a Readathon information session and storytelling workshop to over 60 Primary PGCE trainee teachers.
The visit was planned following a generous legacy donation from the sister of one of Bangor University’s directors and lecturers.
Claire Woodhouse loved reading and generously left a legacy donation to Read for Good, to help us to continue to encourage reading for fun, with its myriad benefits, and get a regular supply of brand new books and storyteller visits to children in hospitals across the UK.
Her sister, Abi Owen, cared for her in the final few months of her battle with brain cancer. Claire couldn’t read by this point but still enjoyed listening to audio books.
Abi is also an avid reader and Director of the PGCE Primary Education course at Bangor University. The Curriculum for Wales is child-centred and gives teachers autonomy to plan and deliver to enthuse children, often through stories.
Abi is passionate about giving a big focus on the course to the love and wellness that reading can bring, in addition to focusing on reading skills and how children learn to read.
Consequently, Readathon Manager Lucy Robinson and Read for Good storyteller Fiona Collins who works in hospitals Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor, Glan Clwyd Hospital in Rhyl and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool, took a trip to Bangor to share their work and provide some tips and resources for the PGCE students to take into their schools.
A wonderful session was had, sharing resources such as our Readathon, Brilliant Box of Books, and Books we Love book recommendations page, plus Fiona held the most amazing storytelling workshops with the students in both English and Welsh!
It was heart-warming to hear from one of the students that she remembered meeting Fiona and receiving a free book from the Read for Good bookcase in hospital when her son was receiving treatment. A great moment to see the benefits of reading, and Read for Good, from schools to hospitals and to the next generation of teachers.
If you’d like to donate to Read for Good or get your local school involved in our Readathon, visit our ‘How you can help’ page.
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